If you’re one of the 7,000 students who come to Antibes every year to learn French at our school, you’ll get to know some of our staff, who are a devoted, friendly bunch and will do everything in their power to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. The Centre International d’Antibes is a large team which has, for more than three decades, been helping thousands of students to learn French or improve their skills in the language of Molière. Throughout the process of booking your stay, on your arrival at your residence or with your host family, and even on the day of your departure, you’ll come into contact with and make the acquaintance of a number of people.
Would you like some more information on qualifications like the DELF? Are you having trouble with your French language learning? Would you like an assessment of your progress or some explanations about our lessons or teaching approach in general? If so, then Brigitte, our teaching supervisor, will be delighted to answer any questions you may have during your stay. Don’t hesitate to check in with her on a regular basis for a chat!
Once morning classes are over, it’s soon time to grab a bite... In the kitchen and ready to serve is our chef Jean-Marie, who’ll be looking forward to sharing a few jokes with you and adding a touch of good humour to the lunch break, an important opportunity for all of us to enjoy some friendly conversation.
On reception, Jeff is often one of the people most in demand, because he’s frequently called on to answer a barrage of questions. The first day you arrive, before you take your assessment to determine your level of French, it’s nearly always Jeff who, along with Brigitte, will give you our grammar guide, your student card and a map of the town. The assessment actually takes place in the Château, a magnificent Provençal building set in an oasis of greenery. Jeff will also be around to capture the moments of relaxation, such as tastings, that you will enjoy during your stay. You can check out his photos on the school’s Facebook and other social media pages. During the summer period, someone else takes over the responsibility of manning the Château reception desk: Claudio, whose experience, expertise and kind nature will be entirely at your service. After some hard work, it’s time for some relaxation, and on Monday afternoons, it’s generally Kathy who’ll take you on our unmissable tour of Antibes. Kathy is an outstanding guide who’s also part of our teaching team. She has in-depth knowledge of the history and traditions of Antibes, as well as local food and drink. Thinking about those you’ll meet, let’s not forget the teachers themselves! Chances are you’ll make their acquaintance for the first time on the day of your assessment, as they’ll be the ones who’ll evaluate not just your written work, but also your speaking and listening skills through an individual interview. Following your assessment, you’ll be placed in the class that best matches your abilities.
All juniors and school groups will be accompanied on excursions, cultural visits and sporting activities by the Centre’s male and female supervisors, who always create a great atmosphere. You’ll be able to recognise them easily, as they’ll often be found wearing yellow T-shirts bearing the school’s logo. At the junior sites (Lycée Horticole, Lycée Carnot de Cannes, etc.) during the summer and at the Château school throughout the rest of the year, Stan and his team (Rémi, Liam, Halima, João, Laurie, Dereck, Daniela, Simon, etc.) are the perfect supervisors for all your activities, both before and after class. When you arrive, you’ll be given a pack containing your student card, the school rules and a coloured wristband corresponding to your group. It’s also reassuring for parents to know that you’ll be looked after by qualified, enthusiastic staff!
Would you like to spend your stay with a family so that you can gain a better understanding of how French people live and experience a true language immersion programme in our beautiful country? Great idea! Then Agnès is the person to contact with any queries about your host family. She’ll be able to find the family that best meets your expectations. Her job involves visiting the families and checking that everything’s in place to satisfy the many students who opt for this form of accommodation.
At the Port school on Boulevard d’Aguillon, you’ll find our administrative teams on the second floor. They take care of many important issues. And the first people you’ll come into contact with will more than likely be our call centre staff: Maria, Aniko, Alexandra, Noemi and Ash. Since they each speak several languages – including Hungarian, Italian, English, German, Spanish and Russian – you’ll have no trouble explaining exactly what kind of stay you are looking for. They’ll listen to what you want and can advise you on the option that best meets your needs.
Maria and Gloria answered some of our questions to give us a better idea of what they do:
“What nationalities are the students who come to the Centre International d’Antibes?”
“Most students come from Europe, including Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and the UK, but we also get students from Russia and the United States.”
“What are the main programmes offered and when do they run?”
“There’s the adult programme and the programme for school groups, both of which run throughout the year. We also offer a junior programme in spring and summer. And then there’s our over 50s programme, which takes place during specific sessions.”
“What is the preferred method of teaching?”
“The teachers use an active teaching method to ensure that students engage with what they are learning.”
An exceptional setting, responsive staff, a motivating educational approach: there are so many reasons to choose the Centre International d’Antibes for your next language immersion programme!
About the Centre International d'Antibes
